FOODS OF TURKEY
Walking through the shop filled streets of Kemer, or any of the little, touristic Mediterranean towns along the cost in Turkey, you can find Turkish Apple Tea in almost every store. This refreshing drink without caffeine is made from a light yellow powder mixed with hot water. It is slightly sweet already, so you may or not choose to add sugar.
If you ask any Turkish person, they will tell you they don’t know how this drink came about, as it showed up only 10 or so years ago and not in the homes of Turkish but first, as a drink for the tourists. It was so popular, the airports and tourist shops filled up their stock. It became a staple drink everyone wanted to take home or as a present for their friends. Then, it finally started catching on in the homes of the locals.
You can find this drink through online Turkish grocery stores or in Turkish neighborhoods. Amazon also sells some of the brands. Among the popular brands are Hazer Baba, Dogadan and Lezzo. Hot or with ice, but without the caffeine, Apple Tea, or in Turkish, Elma Çayı is a nice alternative to black tea more widely served in Turkey.
Meltem
2009 Copyright. Foods of Turkey
Apple Tea
Jun 18, 2009
My friends in the US always ask me how to say “Cheers” in Turkish. Here is a course on Turkish for you; it is “Şerefe!”, which means “to honor!” and it is read as sherefeh. While we don’t use this expression when drinking tea or other non-alcoholic beverages, it is nonetheless a nice, short and easy way to celebrate the Turkish drink.